Treadle for piano-playing attachments.



A. A. STEINHILBER.

TREADLE FOR PIANO PLAYING ATTACHMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-I0, 1911.

1,136,733. Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

3 SHEETB-BHEET l.

THE NORRIS PErERs 00.. PHO10 LITHO.. WASHING ION. B1 c.

A. A. STEINHILBER.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

a sums-3111:3132.

2 5 I R Z3 41f 5 6:5 L55 I 37 43 49 4 f 5 30 lo o-|1.'@ 6 19 g L51 0 E 46 1 Z3 l 1 w a? 1 g 0. 46 315 41 Z6 qdaij 11 .52" r 1H5 NORRIS PETERS CCL. PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. c

A. A; STEINHILBER.

TREADLE FOR PIANO PLAYING ATTACHMENTS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-10. 1911.

I Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' THE NORRIS PETERS CO.. PHOTD-LITHO" WISHING, D. G

ADOLF sI'EI mInBE t, or Rocx ISLAND, I LLINoIs, AssIGNon'ToAn'rIs'rArIANo PLAYER company, or MILAN, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS; I,

To all whom it may concern a citizenofthe -United States, residing .at

Rock Island, in .thecounty of Roc'klsland. and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Treadles for Piano-Playing Attachments, offlwhich the following. is aspecificationa This invention "relates to improvements in treadles, and more particularly folding treadles, forpianoplaying attachments, and

one of the objects of the invention is'toprovideanimprovedxdevice ofthis class, by which substantially uniform. power may be,

applied throughout, notonly; the entire range of movement/of the-treadles andthe pumpers, butat any point in their range of movement, and by which a quick, positive return of the treadles to normal position will be insured. I

.A further object isfito provide an improved device; of this class which willbe simple, durable, and cheap inconstruction, 'and'eifectiveand efficientinroperation.

To the attainment of .these ends and the taccomplishmentof other new and useful objects, as will appear, the invention con-' sists-inthe features ofnoveltym substan in section showing the treadle attachment folded into the casing of the instrument. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2,.showing, the treadlein position for use. Fig.4 is an enlarged detail topplan view, partly in section, showing the treadle in'position for use. Fig. 5 is a sectional vi'ew on line 55, Fig.

4. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a portion of one of the links which connects the treadle with the operating shaft.- Fig.7 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly [in section of-another manner of con necting the crank arm with the bellows.

Referring moreparticularly to the drawings and in the present exemplification of the invention, the numeral 10 designates a I portion of the instrument to which this immote from the extremity 11 of the strings,

'rnEAnLnr'oR iano-PLAYING ATrAoHMEn'rs.

I Specification of Letters 1mm. 'Pate'nted 20 5 e Application and August 10.1911; Serial mije4s-,'291.

j provedattachment is applied, and the" cas-' Be ltknown that .LQADO'LF A. STEINHILBER,"

lng is-provided withan open front adjacent the bottom. Within thisgcasing, and preferably adjacent each side thereof and rewhichlatter extend 'intothe'baseyand so as not toform'ian obstruction in front of the strings, are located" two pumpers or suction creating "devices-12, in the form of pneumaticsor bellows. Eachof these bellows which one of the members of the bellows is i secured, preferably the front member,a'nd the bellows 12 are arranged so that the movable "member thereofwill be disposed,

elastic member tends normally. collapse 1., the b o y sp ed bearings" 17 are provided, and arejarrangedin pairs, I and'- ournaled,,1n' the respective pairs of bearings are shafts 18,-one of which shafts is providedfor each of the bellows or pumpers, 12. nally -from' each other, and connected to eachof the shafts adjacent one extremity thereof are crankarms 19, 'each of which preferably carries" ananti-friction roller 20,, adapted to engage'a projection2l carried by themovable member 15 of the'bellows. Secured to each of the shafts 18 adjacent the other extremity'thereof is'another crank arm 22, similar to the crankarms l9, and are arranged in line with the-latter and in such position'sxthat they areadapted to be. con-. nected to the treadles 23in a manner to be hereinafter set forth, so that when "the These shafts are spaced longitudi-+ treadles are operated, the shafts 18 will be rockedin ajdirection to .cause theiqantifri ction'roller 20rto ridelagainst the projection21, and move the movable member 15 of the bellows ina direction to expand the bellows against: the tension of the elastic member'sl. 5 f

Thetreadles 23 are supported by spaced parallel members 24, one extremity of each of which is deflected as. at 25 m form a to any fixed part of the casing. These mem case andare of any desired length, thefree.

journal, journaled in bearings .26 secured,

bars 24 project throughthe opening in the;

, '65; a Vi 12 is-sec'ured in position inany suitable man 'ner, preferably by means of supports 13, to

. larly Fig. 4).

a and rest upon the floor.

are pivotally connected as at 31 adjacent" extremities thereof being connected by means of a cross bar or rod 27 (see particu- Supports or feet 28 are provided, and are connected with the cross rod 27, and serve as a means for supporting the 7 forward or free ends of the members 24. These members 24 are preferably archedas at 29 (see 'Figs. 2 and 3), so as to extend over the toe rail 30 of the casingwhen the treadles are in position for use, and so as to allow the feet or support 28 to engage The treadles 23 their forward edgesto the cross bar 27, and about which the .treadles are'adapted to be rocked. A link 32 (see particularly Fig. 6)

is pivotally connected'by one'e xtremity 33 to the edge of the treadle adjacent their rear ends, and this link is pivotally con-.

may be provided with a recess or opening.

36, within which a portion of the link 32 may operate. Pivotally connected; to each of the links 32 at a point adjacent the point of pivotal connection of the link with the crank arm 22, andas at 37, isan extension member 38, conveniently constructed of two members secured together as shown .more clearlyin Fig. 4, and the ends 3910f this member are separated to form a shoulder 40. The extremity 41 of the link 32 is shouldered as at 42, and this portion 41 projects into the space between the members 39 to coiiperate with the shoulder 40 of the extension 38, to form a rulejoint, that is, a joint which will vpermit the extension and link to be folded with respect to each other in one direction and to lock them against folding in the opposite direction. other end of the extension 38'may be similarly formed, and an anti-friction roller 43 may be provided, which is iournaled to the free end of the extension. The rolleredends of the extensions 38 are adapted to enter andmove along the guideway 48, which is preferably formed in the .base of a support 45, to be hereinafter explained. The. top

and bottom 49 and 50 are spaced apart sufii-I ciently tolsubstantially prevent any vertical movementof the rollered ends of the extensions 38, but they allow the rollered ends of the extensions to freely move horizontally. This arrangement of the parts constitutes shifting :fulcrums for the ends of theextensions 38, as will hereinafter appear.

It is thought that since thetwo setsof levers- 32 and extensions 38 are identical, a description of the operation of one of them will be sufficient. i

The.

Referring'mo're particularly to Fig.3, the

' lever 32 and its extension 38 constitute what 1 term for convenience of description a rule joint or a combination lever. The rule oint action is provided merely forthe purpose of permitting the parts to be compactly folded, up, but'so far as the operation of the lever 32 and itsextension 38 are concerned, when the treadles are swung out regarded asa single continuous piece, and 1 in the following description this should be kept in mind. It will nowbe seen that when necessarily moves in an arcwhich is-in general almost-vertically disposed. The treadle 23 and the member 35 act in a senselike a toggle, ,and the res'ultwVould be that the crank 22 will be given a rotary movement the treadle 23 is'depressed,'the point 33 about the axis of the shaft 18 and, through the medium ofthe shaft 18, will impart this movement .to the pumpers 12, as before explained. It will be noted, however, that the pivotal connecting point'34 of the member 32 and thecrank 22, moves'in an are which in general is disposed horizontally and in consequence when the point 33, during the depression of the treadle, reaches and passes a straight line drawn through the pivotal points 27 and 34,no further rotation in the same direction will be imparted .to the crank 22, even though the depressionof thetreadle 23 is continued farther. In such position of the parts, however, the pumpers are only partially expanded. Sincethe member 32' and the extension" 38 arerigid, any depression of the treadle'will naturally cause the rollered end 43 to rise vertically, but before it rises any substantial amount it enters the the fulcrum, the pivotal point 34 being the I point at which the load is connected andthe iiof the second order, the rollered end 43 being point 33. being. the point at which the power 1 is applied. Therefore, a continued depression of the treadle will continue the rotation ofthe crank 22, and through the me dium of the shaft, as before explained, will fully expand the pumpers. The purpose in arranging the rollered end 43 and the guideway 48 so as to form a shifting fulcrum, is obvious, since the point 34 necessarily moves in an are. It is thus manifest that pressure upon the treadle is substantially uniformly effective on the pumpersthroughout the entire range-of movement, aswell as at any point in their range a of movement. This 7 mechanism also has another importantfunc- Isa tion,-that of returning thetreadles' quickly and positively" totheir normal position,

ready for another stroke. After; the fulcrum 1 of the combinationlleverfhas shifted, soto springs 14, which is intended to-return the I were notfor the faetflthatthe rollere'd. end 431 of the combination lever is confined is applied at the pivotalpoint 34 when the I speak, from the point :34 tothe rollered end of the extension 38, this rigidcombination lever 'and'the treadles form in. a sense an extended toggle, the fixed pivotal point of which is at 27 and the movable" or shiftable point of which is at 43. When the treadles. are pressed allofthe way down, the plvotal point 33 passes below a straightline drawn through the two extensions27 and 43 of this extended toggle, and the tendency would ordinarily be for. the treadles to lock in this position. 7 It willbe rememberedv that the pumpers are expandedjagainst the tension of,

pumpers to their closed position whenthe pressure on thetreadles is relieved. The

springs,-however, would not be effective to return the treadles to normal position if it against vertical movement and hence forms the fulcrum for the lever. "The springs 14,

acting through the crank19 and shaft. 18, exert a force upon the crank 22 to rotatesaid crank 22 in the reverse direction. Hence,the power for the return {movement of the parts pressure on the treadles relieved. Inother words, the combination lever now becomes a lever of the-third orderpwith its fulcrum at 43, the weight at the treadle. and the power being appliedat the pivotalpoint by the spring l4,jand in consequence the I treadles will be quickly and turned to theirnormal position.

The support 45 .previously mentioned is.

provided in order, to support the treadles: 23 when foldediinto the casing, so as to hold them out of engagement with the strings. This'support is comprised by the. integral portions and 49, which form the guide way 48, and by the upright'portion which carrles a cross bar or rest 46 at its upper end, the rest being preferably inclined forwardly, as shown in Fig. 2. This support is'preferably arranged adjacent the-rear wall of the casing, and in such positionthat when the treadles are folded intofthe casing the rear edge of the treadles willengage and rest upon therest member 46. If desired, a cushion 47 of. any. suitable material, may .be provided on the upper face of the rest member 46. I I "Whenthe treadles are folded from the positionv shown in Fig.3 to that ,sho wnlin Fig. 2, the" link or lever member 32 will swing about its point ofpivotal connection 34 and will also fold with respect to the extension 38, the latterumovingabout" its point of pivotal connection 37 with the link 32.

When, however, the treadles are swung out positively re- 1 mt exemplification of the invention 1 as formed in. an integral structure, may. be ,formed'in any suitable or desired manner.

I In the form shown in Fig. 7 ,an extension,

'52is provided on the movable memberfof the bellows, which is preferably bifurcated .at itsfree end as at 53, and: a link Q54 is pivotallyconnected by one extremity to the crank 19 and the free extremity of the link projects into the bifurcationof the extension 52, toflwhich it is pivotally connected,

. as at55. I

What is'claimed as new: I '1. In a folding treadle mechanism, the

at its inner end to a stationarysupport, a

rock shaft within the casing ofythe instrument, bellows, an operative connection be-' tween the bellows and'shaft, a treadle pivcombination of v a. treadle support pivoted oted at its forward end to the treadle sup-,

' port, a crank on the shaft, a link connecting the free end of [the treadleand the-said crank, an extension member pivotally connected with'thelink to fold ,withrespect to i I the link, in "one direction, during the fold- Y ing movement-of the treadle, andmeansfor locking the link and extension against fold-' combination of atr'eadle support pivoted at its inner end to a stationary support, arock the free end of thetreadle and the said when thetreaclle'is ing movement 7 with r espect, to each other in the opposite direction unfolded. g

' 2.111 a folding treadle mechanism, the I shaft within thejcasing of the'instrument,v I a bellows, an operativeflconnection between',' the bellows and shaft, a, treadle pivoted at I its forward or outer end to the treadle sup port, a crank on the shaft, a link connecting crank, an extension member 'pivotallycon-f 1 nectedat its outer end with the inner end of thelink to fold with respect to the link in one directionduring the folding move! I mentofthe treadle, interengaging means on the linkand extension member, for locking themiagainst fo1ding-movementwith respect to each I other in 'the opposite direction 3 when the treadle is unfolded, the inner. end

of the saidextension engaging and moving upon .a fixed support when the treadle is operated- 3. In afolding treadle mechanism, the

. combination of a treadle support pivoted at itsinner endto a stationary support, a rock shaft within the casing .of the instrument,

a bellows, an operative connectionv between the bellows'and shaft, a treadle pivoted at its forward orouter end to the'treadlesup- I port, a crank on the shaft, a link connecting the free end of the treadle and the said crank, and an extension member pivotally sionmember engaging and moving on a fixed V V 7 her for locklng said member and link against connected at its outer end with the inner ber-for locking said membera'nd link against folding with respect to each other in the opposite direction and while the treadle is being operated, theinner end of the extensurface in the casing and forminga fulcrum for the link and extension member.

4. In a folding treadle mechanism," the combination of a treadle support pivoted ,at'its inner end to a stationary support, a rock shaft within the casing oflthe instrument, a bellows, an operative connection betweenthe bellows and shaft, a treadle pivoted at its forward end to the treadle support, a crank on theshaft, a link conneotingv the free endfof' the treadle and the said crank, an extension member pivotally connected with'thelink to fold with respect to the, link in one direction during the folding movement ofthe treadle, a position of the link beyond its point ofconnection with the said crank, abutting the said extension member for locking said member and link against folding with respect to each other in the opposite direction and while the treadle is being'operated, the free end ofthe extension member engaging and moving on a fixed surface in the casing and forming a fulcrum for the link and extension member, and a guide for receiving the free end of said extension member.

s 5. In a folding" treadle mechanism, the combination of a treadle support pivoted at its inner end to a stationary support, a rock shaft withinthe casing of the 1nstru-' ment, a bellows, an operative connection between the bellows and shaft, a treadle pivotedat its forward end to the treadle support, a crank on the shaft, a link connecting the free end of the treadle and the said her for locking said member and link against folding with respect to each other the opposite direction and while the treadle is being operated, the free end of theextension member engaging and moving-on a fixed surface in the casing and forming a fulcrum for the link and extension member, and a supportwithin the casing upon which-the;

treadle rests when folded into the casing.

' 6. In a folding treadle mechanism, the combination of a treadle support pivoted at its inner end to a stationary support, a

rock shaft within the casing of the instru 'ment, a bellows, an operative connection be tween the bellows and shaft, a treadle pivoted at its forward end to the treadle sup port, a crank on the shaft, a link connecting the free end of the treadle and the said crank, an extension member pivotally connected with the link to fold with respect to the link in one direction during the folding.

movement of the, treadle, a position of the link beyond lts point of connection with the said crank,"abuttingi the said extensionmemfolding with respect to each other in the opposite direction andwhile the treadle is being operated, the free end of the'extension member engaging and moving on a fixed surface in'the casing and forming a fulcruni for the link and extension member,

and a support within the casing upon which the treadle rests when foldedinto the casing, and a combined guide and support within 7 V its inner end toa stationary support, a rock" shaftwithinthe casing, a bellows, an opera.- tive connectlon between'theshaft andbel- -lows, a treadle pivoted to the support, a

link connecting the treadle with the rock' shaft, said link and treadle support being arched to extend over the toe rail, and an extension member'connected withthe link and extending into thecasing and adapted member for looking the member with respect to'the link when the' treadle is being oper ated to form a rigid extension of the link whereby the freeend ofthe extension will form a fulcrum for the link and extension.

8. In a folding treadle mechanism, the

to' fold with the link whenthe treadle is folded, the freeend of the extension engag-' ing, and being movable on a fixed support,-

and 'inter-engagingmeans on the link and 10 5 i combination of a tr'eadle support pivoted at its inner end .to astationary support, a

rock shaft within the casing, a bellows, an operative connection'between the shaft and bellows, a treadle pivoted to the support, a link conneoting the treadle with the rock extension member connected with the link folded, thefree end of theextension being sha ft, said link and treadle support being arched to extend over the toe rail, and an movable, means for locking the member with respect to the link whenthe treadlelis'being operated to form a rigid lever, the free'end of the extension forming a fulcrum therefor, V

and a guide way for the free end of the said extension member. j

9. In a 'foldingtreadle-71nechanism, the

conibinationof a treadle supportipivoted at its inner'end to a stationary's'upport, a' rock shaft within ,the casing,-"abellows, an opera- '"will fo'rm afulcrun'i for the link andwlex- 1 tension, and a 'support" within the Leasing for receiving and holding the treadle when the latter is folded into the casing;

tion of a treadlesupportpivoted at itsinner end to a stationary support, a rock shaft within the casing, azbellows, an operative v connection betweenfltheshaft and bellows, a

V I treadle. pivoted to the support, a links con necting the treadle' with the rock shaft said link and treadle'support being arched to extend over'the' toerail, and an extension member connected .with th'e link andextende ing into the casing "and adaptedtoffold with the link when the treadle is' folded,

,means forilockingithe'member with respect to the link when thetreadle isbeing operby the'free end"oftheextensionwill form said extension members; a I

11. In a device for he'purpose described,

l Copies of this patent inayxb'e obtained mittens each, by addressing the Commissioner ofratentsi 7 a f vwash ingt omnc'fl a afnlcrum for the link, and j extension, ,and l a combined treadle support and, guide with-Y in the casing for-receiving and supporting the treadle when the "latteris foldedinto the casing, and for guidin'g'the free'end'of the sio'n about the 10.111 a, folding mechanis'm the co bina the combination of the treadlep'rop'er, a piv otal support'therefor, a purnper, can OSClllfl-w tor arnifor operating thejpumper, :a lever" ,enga'gingiisaid arm for imparting oscillatting'motion thertmand'operativelyrelated 1 7 atone'end to theztreadle proper for-receiv- 1 in motion therefromv and having" aniexten- "sion atitsgother iend1projecting' beyond the" V point ofengagement'thereofwithsaid-arm; wL and means forrestrictingjthe arcnate direcsaid point of engagementasdonor movement of; the end .of'saidexte'n-v a center."

12.111 a devicevfo'r the purpose described, V v the combination ofa treadle,"'a bellows, a i

treadIel and 'havingits other endrestricted; toa reciprocating m0vement,and means conc 'nectedjwith saidleverintermediate thejends, thereof for operating ssaid bellows; j

jointedlever connected atone end to said 13. In a deviceflfor the" urpose'described,

the combination of a lever -la treadle--pivtwo subscribing I witnesses, on this seventh day of AngustA. D1911. c

V 7 ADOLF A. fSTEINHILBER. it Witnesses: I 7 J' 'c I W; T. C ANN NQ i I ota'lly connected toj one'endof said lever, means confiningfthe other end of saidlever g r to a reciprocatingmovement, a crankcon- 1 nected; to said lever intermediate the ends 1. thereof, and a bellows operated'by" said i 14. In a deviceflfor the purpose described the combination-of a treadle, a levrpiv-Q f otally connected to oneendof saidtreadle,, a bellowstmeansconnected: with said lever" intermediate its ends'for operating said bel l0ws',fand :a guide for the free lendnoffl said I i'leve'r confining it"tova vreciprocating'tmove-ic 'ment. M V [In] testimonywhereof'I have signed my" name to this'spe'cification,.in the presencebi 2 

